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Become A Member

Join Telhio

As a Telhio member, you get all the convenience of a big bank — plus the heart, care, and trust of a local credit union that puts your needs first.We're here to help you reach your financial goals, no matter where you are in life. Whether you're buying your first home, refinancing your car, or teaching your kids how to save, Telhio has your back every step of the way.

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Community Involvement

Conversations create change. We know this firsthand and have abided by it since our inception in 1934 as the credit union for the Columbus Telephone Company.

A lot has changed since then, but our purpose has not. At Telhio, people are the priority. We meet you at every stage of your financial journey, because we've been there, too. Our local experts serve you with solutions, not sales, because business doesn't thrive on transactions alone.

Because we're a credit union, our members are our owners, so you can count on trust and transparency at every turn - from central to southwestern Ohio.

For more than 90 years, Telhio has committed to the betterment of its members. We're people helping people - and giving back to the community that our roots have grown in.

Credit Unions vs Banks

Credit unions stand apart from banks because they're built to serve people—not shareholders. As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions return earnings directly to their members through better rates, lower fees, and more personalized service. Unlike big banks that focus on profits, credit unions focus on people—empowering members to achieve their financial goals while investing in the communities they serve. When you join a credit union, you're not just a customer—you're an owner and part of something bigger.
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Credit Union

Not-for profit 

  • Higher Savings Rate
  • Lower Loan Rates
  • Local and community-centric
  • Members are owners
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Banks

For-profit

  • Higher Interest 
  • Operates in interest of shareholders
  • large scale, minimal relationship-building

How to Join

Becoming a member is simple!

Membership Application

You will need the following information in order to complete the application:

  • Government issued ID/Drivers License/State ID or Passport with current address
  • Your complete physical and mailing address
  • Social Security Number
  • Date of Birth

Open a Share Savings Account

Deposit $5

Once your application is processed, you can open your share savings account with a $5 deposit, which represents your ownership in the credit union.

Enjoy

Enjoy the Benefits — Start using your Telhio account and experience the difference of people-first banking.

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Membership Eligibility

Anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Central or Southwest Ohio

Employees of our Select Employer Groups (SEGs)

Immediate family members of existing Telhio members

Why Telhio?

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1 out of 4 Ohioans choose credit unions for their financial services 

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57% said they perceive credit unions as providing extremely good value